THE capitol has gone strict on travel to and from Misamis Oriental as it implemented a province-wide community quarantine this week in response to calls for inter-local government cooperation to prevent the 2019 novel coronavirus from spreading further.
Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano ordered authorities to strictly regulate the travel flow along the province’s boundaries.
The move was an offshoot of calls from the Cagayan de Oro city government for provinces surrounding the city to join it in implementing a community quarantine, according to provincial board member Dexter Yasay.
Yasay said the capitol did not implement it immediately unlike in Cagayan de Oro because provincial officials had to review the terms first.
In Executive Order GYBVE 2020-008, Emano put the entire province under general community quarantine.
The measure includes restricting non-Misamisnons from entering the province except for acceptable and justified reasons.
Tighter checkpoint measures have been in place in Lugait, Magsaysay, Eureka-Balason in Gingoog City, Padiding in Claveria, Bagocboc in Opol, and Sta. Ana in Tagoloan near Malitbog, Bukidnon.
Exempted are people who deliver food, fuel, medicine, livestock food, and construction supplies, and other basic commodities. They, however, are required to show clearances from their respective barangays and documents from their companies.
A curfew is in effect throughout Misamis Oriental, from 8 pm to 5 am daily.
Emano directed the mayors of Lugait and Magsaysay towns to take charge of opening and closing boundary roads and quarantine stations.
He also tasked the municipalities of Tagoloan and Opol to set up quarantine checkpoints along the borders of Malitbog and Bagocboc.
At the checkpoints, motorists and commuters are required to show acceptable identification cards as proof that they are Misamis Oriental residents.
Town mayors have been authorized to impose additional measures if necessary after consulting the Provincial Health Office, National Police, and other government agencies.
In the executive order, classes would remain suspended until April 14, and people are directed to strictly follow rules on physical distancing.
The capitol is also maintaining a skeleton force, and except for markets, pharmacies, all establishments are supposed to remain closed throughout the province.
Emano also ordered chiefs of provincial hospitals to provide holding areas for patients with symptoms of Covid-19. He said the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro would be the only institution to handle Covid-19 and potential Covid-19 cases.
He barred visitors to the capitol-run prison facility in Cagayan de Oro during the quarantine period.
Emano’s order also warned against those spreading false news about the Covid-19 threat, adding that they would be held liable. (Shiela Mae Butlig)
